WHEELING – The OVAC Banquet of Champions is the official closure of the conference year. It is also the Cadillac of banquets – first class in all respects.

Staged at WesBanco Arena tonight, the fete honors more than 70 teams that captured championships this school year while also selecting the Bill Van Horne/Wheeling News-Register Coach of The Year Award. In addition, some $30,000 in scholarships will be presented.

Amazingly, the 31-year-old banquet runs it course seamlessly in a few hours despite the volume of awards, scholarships and meals. It goes without saying, much precise preparation plays out to near perfection.

The task of making that happen falls on the shoulders of Ron White. He has undertaken that daunting challenge the last 23 years of the gala event.

In addition, White also serves the conference as assistant basketball commissioner. He has done so for 22 years.

Moreover, White is a well-respected track official, both on the prep and collegiate levels.

It is safe to say, he has a full plate.

Being in charge of a banquet of such magnitude is a thankless task. But it is one that White undertakes with unbridled passion and pride.

“I am committed to the conference, and to the student-athletes of the Ohio Valley. It is my way of giving back,” White said. “The Banquet of Champions is a great way to spotlight the success of our athletes and coaches.

“Things do get somewhat hectic with the banquet in the spring. Track meets keep me quite busy,” he added. “The banquet wouldn’t be such a nice affair without the help of my wife (Eleanor). “She is my one helper and her work is truly invaluable.”

Tonight’s fete will play host to a crowd numbering 700. But thanks to White and his wife, the evening runs smoothly, commencing at 6:30 and wrapping up by 9 p.m. That is efficiency at its finest, when you factor in that 76 championship pennants, 50 scholarships and the coach of the year awards are all handed it.

White’s work for a gaffe-free banquet encompasses many months.

“Eleanor and I begin our work at the first of the year. We document all the OVAC champions from the fall season,” White said. “Our work ramps up after winter sports. It can get real busy in the spring.

“Our biggest headache is when schools do not return their reservation forms. Those forms are critical to us,” he added. “A few days after the banquet we will have a wrapup meeting. After all these years, things have become pretty routine.”

White also worked as a basketball official for many years during his years as an educator in what is now the Buckeye Local School District. The West Liberty grad served a plethora of coaching and athletic administrative roles during his years with the district. The 1966 Springfield Local graduate started the track program at the former Buckeye South High School.

“Ron White is the master at running banquets. Few people can understand what it takes to get 76 championship teams, 50 scholarship winners and their presenters, five coach-of-the-year candidates, and get them all under one roof, feed them, reward them, and have them walking out the door 2 1/2 hours later,” OVAC Executive Director Tom Rataiczak said. “Ron’s attention to details allow him to see that the evening runs as smooth as possible. While there are always glitches, he’s quick to adapt, modify, or accommodate every situation to make each school or recipient feel that the night is truly for them.

“One of Ron’s busiest seasons is track, where he travels all over the tri-state area to start meets. Yet he still finds time to organize and coordinate this event. The banquet is the crown jewel in the OVAC calendar to salute and highlight our student/athletes. Thanks to his efforts, that night is a special memory to so many,” he added. “Ron has been doing this banquet for some 25 years. While it’s second nature to him, each year brings new challenges and problems to deal with. The OVAC and its member schools are truly indebted to Ron for his efforts and dedication.”

Ron and Eleanor have two sons. David is employed by UPMC in Pittsburgh while Jeffrey is a regional manager at Southern State Co-Op.

“I love keeping busy. Overseeing this banquet keeps me going,” White said. “It’s a labor of love for me to work with our student-athletes in the OVAC.”

BUBBA’S BITS

Toronto High filled its boys’ basketball vacancy in grand fashion. Sean Tucker, who enjoyed much success at Steubenville Catholic Central, replaces John Leary as the Red Knights’ head hoop boss. Tucker is an Indian Creek product who personifies passion. Chris Tarquinio will replace Tucker as the Crusaders’ head coach. He is a 1993 Central graduate.

The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference is holding its annual Football Officials Academy on Wednesdays, starting on May 25 and running through July 20 at Martins Ferry High School. The class will run from 6-8:30 p.m. each week. There will be classroom sessions focused on rules and development as well as on-field lessons, working on mechanics and techniques. There is no charge to attend the academy. Successful candidates will be eligible to officiate football this fall. Instructions will include OVAC personnel and veteran, varsity officials from throughout the conference who have years of experience developing new officials at the high school and college level. For information, contact OVAC Football Commissioner Dave Clutter at (304) 280-6670 or via email at dlclutter@frontier.com.

The Hancock County Board of Education has hired Ted Arneault Jr. as Oak Glen’s new head football coach. Arneault, 33, replaces Ian Whittington, who resigned after four years at the helm of his alma mater. Arneault has been teaching and coaching in Hancock County for the past 10 years.